Santa Calls on the Coast to Sponsor 167 Local Kids This Christmas

2 November 2026: Sunshine Coast Lightning player Ava Black joined Santa at Cotton Tree today to launch SunnyKids’ 2026 Sunny Xmas for Kids appeal, which aims to raise just over $100,000 through 167 annual child sponsorships at $600 each for local children impacted by domestic and family violence.

The appeal builds to a phone giving day on Wednesday 25 November, when volunteers will be on the phones taking calls from the community.

The funds raised will support children who are escaping or living with the effects of domestic and family violence, homelessness or hardship. Each $600 sponsorship helps SunnyKids coordinate care around a child and their family, connecting them with practical assistance and support tailored to their circumstances throughout the year.

SunnyKids CEO Kathleen Hope said the campaign was about the children in the community who would need support in the months ahead.

“When we talk about The Next Child, we’re talking about a child in our own community who needs support,” Hope said.

“We want to be there when that child and their family reach out. Child sponsorship helps us coordinate the care and practical assistance they need, with support that extends well beyond Christmas.

“You may never meet the child your generosity helps, but you can be part of the community that helps them move forward.”

SunnyKids supported 4,118 children and 1,953 adults across the Sunshine Coast last year, providing 8,556 bed nights of accommodation. Last year’s Sunny Xmas for Kids appeal raised $88,000.

This year’s campaign, The Next Child, builds on a short film first shown at the SunnyKids Mayoral Ball in October. The chair at the centre of the film, which stands for the next child SunnyKids has yet to reach, was brought into the daylight for today’s launch with a Christmas gift on its seat.

Black said the club had seen SunnyKids’ work up close this year through the Mentoring Through Sports program.

“It’s been eye-opening to see how much it means to a kid when people turn up for them, week after week,” Black said.

“This Christmas we’re asking the Coast to turn up too. Sponsor a child, or give SunnyKids a call on 25 November.”

Businesses can sponsor children or fundraise with their staff and customers. To sponsor a child this Christmas, visit: https://sponsor-a-child.raiselysite.com/

Media Enquiries

For more information and images, please contact Jen or Heather at The Comms. People:

Jennifer Swaine | 0438952830 | jen@commspeople.au

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